"The bells in the steeple have yet to ring for noon," said the peace-lovers; "and we see a dust on the king's highway."
"Dust flies before wind," said the warriors, "and it is likelier that our messenger lies in the duke's prison than rides on the king's highway."
But with the dust came the sound of flying hoofs. Faster, faster, faster, they came. When the first stroke of the noon hour pealed from the church steeple the king's messenger was in sight, and the last bell had not rung when he stood before the palace gate to deliver the duke's message:
"Peace and good will to you and yours;
And to all a Merry Christmas."
Then the king sent for fine robes and a golden chain to be brought for the elder brother, and put a purse of gold in his hand, for he was well pleased with what he had done.
But the elder brother would have none of these things for himself alone.
"Try as I would, I must have failed had it not been for my brother, the blacksmith, who shod my horse on the road to-day," he said; "and, if it please your majesty, half of all you give to me I will give to him."
"Two good servants are better than one," said the king, and he sent for the younger brother that he might thank him also.
Then the two brothers were clothed alike and feasted alike, and each had a purse of gold; and whenever one was praised, so was the other.
And they lived happily, each in his own work, all the days of their lives.